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Comments
Another interesting note about it is that it is "bluer" than the matching one on the driver's side. You can tell it immediately, as it warms up, but even after running for a while, you can really tell that one is "whiter" and one is "bluer". Both give off excellent light, but it's a little odd.
The passenger one is a replacement for a broken one. I'd love to know if there's more than one manufacturer of them, and see if I've got the driver's side from one plant, and the passenger from another.
Todd
Your comment "His Pac was one of the first ones ever built, beginning of 2003. Obviously they knew those vehicles were big trouble so they saved time by just refunding the vehicle value. They were nice." Makes it sound like you almost knew what you were talking about. Rather than speculate and post your opinion as fact, you may want to check first.
My Pacifica was built in 6/03. The Pacifica started full scale production on February 7, 2003 a full 5 month's before my car was built (many, many cars were built prior to that as they were working on sharing the production line with the vans at the Windsor plant). At launch time Chrysler announced that they would be building 100,000 Pacifica's per year. That equates to approx. 8,400 per month which means they had built approx. 42,000 Pacifica's prior to mine. You may think it was "one of the first ones ever built", but the facts seem to prove otherwise. Regardless of whether it was the first off the assembly line or the 1,000,000th off the line, the problems I experienced with my Pacifica were totally unacceptble for a vehicle in this price category.
I bought into the whole marketing spin that the new Daimler/Chrysler collaboration on this vehicle would bring an entirely new level of quality to the American auto scene. Unfortunately for me and many of the people who have posted the more than 1,000 posts in this "Problems and Solutions" forum it has turned out to be just that...marketing spin.
The only bright side to this whole experience is that I got an awesome lease deal on this car in the first place and now Chrysler to their credit is buying it back at a temendous loss to them.
rsharp,
As I stated in my original post, I simply followed all the rules and dotted every i and crossed every t along the way. When the service director finally asked what I wanted Chrysler to do is told him "I want Chrysler to honor their legal obligation as set forth in the California Song Beverly warranty act (also known as the Lemon Law) and buy back my car according the terms of the act. That was all it took. I never threatened to sue them, I just asked them to honor their legal obligation.
Todd
We solved this by purchasing the Mopar backup alarm (not called that) and it has saved at least two bicycles, a trash can and our mailbox. Found this on eBay (brand new) for about 50% of dealer cost and spent another $200 to have it installed. There are four sensors in the rear bumper along with a light and alarm inside the rear hatch. The light changes from green to yellow to red as you get close and the alarm gets more annoying at the same time.
The system will detect items down low to the ground and somewhat off to the side. For example, it beeps when I back out of the garage as it senses the door frame.
Total cost was around $400, but I think that this is a lot cheaper than fixing a damaged rear bumper.
Ive only had it 2 weeks and its been in twice for it. They said they cant find the problem.
Since everthing will just start working again.
If battery dead, probably the dealer boosted it using another battery and then you recharged your battery when driving.
Did you properly close the doors in the evening ? If not the 10 bulbs inside Pacifica stayed on during the night. I wonder if they switch off after some time. Anyway 10 bulbs is too many !
Thanks.... Paul
I think Pacifica needs a better radio antenna. Generally it works perfect, but if I am downtown, between some big buildings, I get distortions on some frequencies where I shouldn't get them.
Did somebody installed an upgraded antenna ?
Well, I drove the car yesterday, and experienced these things, as well. It's just odd. The cruise works, but not anything like it did, before. In fact, when going up a hill (tall bridge or any moderate incline), it will NOT downshift to get more power - it just keeps chugging along. I had it set at 55 yesterday and went over a tall bridge. By the time I got to the top of the bridge, we were going 30, and still in 4th gear! It never downshifted. It's like it stoned or something
Anyone ever hear of anything like this? I'm thinking of disconnecting the battery to see if that resets the cruise computer, but I don't know of anything else. I don't recall a TSB on anything like this, but I could be wrong. Any help would be appreciated!
Todd
IS IT THE WAY CHRYSLER GET RID OF REJECTED CARS BY SELLING IT AT A DISCOUNT PRICE??? I WONDER??? Who knows what other problem(s) I will encounter???
Perhaps one should be more careful when seeing such a good deal of this type. Request a test drive on the car you want to buy... NOT THE ONE THEY GIVE YOU TO TRY OUT and they pick yours from the compound.
HELP!!! I AM DEPRESSED!!!
I want your readers out there to know that this is a Technical Service Bulletin. This means I am not the only one with this problem (noise from the front end). I hope this is informative for other Pacifica owners. I am still depressed as this is only the 2nd day I own the car with problem exists and has not been fixed. The service advisor told me that it is ok to drive the car. However, the noise becomes very obvious and gets louder as I drive home on the snow covered road so I decided to park the car for now. Huh, the weekend plan is spoiled without the new car to show off...
The quality control (is there such things???)is not acceptable.
When letting off the gas after a fairly normal acceleration, the transmission "clunks". It does it intermittantly, but enough to be noticable and annoying.
Took it in for the problem once already and the dealer (Lake Norman Chrysler in Cornelius, NC) claims that the sound is normal and it is the torque converter. The car did not make this noise when new so I doubt it is normal.
I have almost 20,000 miles and it started happening in the 12K to 14K range. At first I though the clunk might be tire noise (it is somewhat muffled) but after hearing it more it is definately coming from the drivetrain.
I just want to get it fixed and any advice is appreicated. So far the transfer case issue seems closest. I do not think it is a bushing issue.
TIA!
-Ben
I wonder if these will go on a "national back order" like the Serpentine belt that I needed to have replaced...
Recalls Summary
Make: CHRYSLER
Model: PACIFICA
Type: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE
Year: 2005
Recall Number: 05V066000
Summary:
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN HEADLAMPS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUAL TOTAL LOSS OF HEADLAMP FUNCTION.
Consequence:
THE HEAD LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR NO HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. THIS COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE WIRING HARNESS AND LOW BEAM BULB ON BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. E04. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.
http://alldata.com/tsb/Chrysler/1109232000000_1109750400000_02-001-05/index.html
Copy it into your web browser and read it. Don't be depressed ! It's just a bar, you can safely drive, even without it !
Enjoy it !
For other Pacifica owners out there, please pay attention to this front-end noise and bring it back to your dealer for repair. Keep in mind that if you only drive on smooth road, you may not easily notice the noise. I drive on the snow covered road and it is really BAD and very irritate, especially on a new car with only 50Miles on it... Follow the link provided by Rodut's post and read it, it may be easier to find this defect when driving in the parking lot or semi-rough surface.
Take care.
PS: Rodut, now I know I can safely drive it "as is" with a bit annoying BUT driving without it??? No Thanks... The only bar I can do without for a night or two is just the local bar.
The second problem is with the auto liftgate. 9 times out of 10, the system will beep 2 times and you can hear the mechanics of the latch attempting to work, but it goes no further. The dealer says that they have not run across this problem and don't know how to fix it.
Any help or advice (short of finding another dealer)?
Copy it to your web browser and check it out:
http://alldata.com/tsb/Chrysler/1103356800000_1107244800000_21-011-04/index.html
Take care... dcdchau
-Ben
First diagnosis was calipers...but all problems still there. 2nd diagnosis, catalytic converter..still all problems. We'll see what this next dealership comes up with. We keep being told it's safe. Right! Getting really angry and frustrated here. Anyone with anything similar?
You have a history of all the previous repairs and the problems are still there, give all the repaired details to the 2nd dealer and tell them to keep the car until it is completely fixed. Hopefully, this signals them that you don't want the car any more. My first experience with Chrysler services is not a sweet one but the car is now fixed and drive quite nice.
It's a nice car once they work out all the bugs... Good luck.
The front sway bar links (mentioned in TSB 02-001-05),
or the bushings for the control arms (you were talking about in post 1049) ?
Give us acurate service details, they could be useful for everybody if we ever have your problem.
This is very informative to other Pacifica owners out there... Thank you.
I purchased a 2004 Pacifica in October 2004. It is an early production unit that had been on the dealer's lot since early 2003. It has every option except NAV & Bluetooth. I bought it from a small town dealership that doesn't move many $40,000 vehicles and got a very good price.
Now the meat & potatoes:
The first week we had the car, the climate control display went out and the EVIC died. It spent a week at the dealer for those problems alone. It's getting close to the first service and it has the front-end grind, the right side xenon flickers occasionally and the speakers crackle when playing CD's.
The biggest issue I have is mileage. In 4,500 miles, it has never done better than 13 MPG. I have taken it on a road trip from Phoenix to LA with the same results. 250 miles per tank is just plain awful! My father's 300 horsepower Lincoln Aviator get's 15-16 and is every bit as heavy as a Pacifica.
Has anyone else gotten such poor mileage with their AWD model? My wife is the primary driver and is very conservative. I've always gotten the higher end of EPA estimates with all my vehicles, including my current daily driver (Audi A4-1.8T).
I really want to like this vehicle. It is extremely comfortable, fits my family great and is a pleasure to drive. 12.5 MPG is totally unacceptable, though. As it stands, I feel my Chrysler reservations were not just paranoia. Maybe I should have stuck with my gut instinct.
Thanks in advance for any input.
dcdchau, probably because your Pac is older they had to use that TSB. I heard longtime ago talks about those control arms and their bushings. New ones, like amyb2's one or mine, had this problem solved in the factory.
Mine, built Jan13 this year, had both problems solved.
Amyb2, me too I am a longtime Honda fan. I owned three Hondas since 1991, and I drive the 3rd one on a daily basis (2001 made). My wife decided the Pacifica was for her. I get it in the weekends. I have to say that Hondas quality is not what it was ... but it's not bad though. Pacifica is an incredible vehicle. Sure it's not a sports car, but nobody ever expected that from a 4,500 lbs vehicle.
Live_to_drive you will have other problems too with your early 2003 built Pac. What happened to you is typical for early 2003s, and there are other things coming. According with these web sites Pacificas became trouble free around middle of 2004. I read about some very happy early 2003 buyers, but most ANGRY "lemon law prone" owners were early 2003 manuf date buyers. That happened to most 1st year cars, at all manufacturers.
Live_to_drive, Phoenix doesn't sound frozen at all ! Here in Canada, because of extreme cold temperatures we could get sometimes bad mileage ! On a "hot day" (about 30 Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius) I recently saw on the EVIC display around 26mpg. This is exactly what the book says. The conditions matter A LOT though. I used the following:
FWD Pacifica, no wind, horizontal good quality side road, preheated engine (let's say driven about 10 miles), car on cruise control on 45 miles/hour (or driven around that speed in the 4th gear), you push the RESET mileage button (it will take a couple of seconds to activate), then you drive it for let's say 10 miles at that speed. The EVIC mileage computer reading should climb pretty high.
Now ... the real test is measuring manually the mileage, by using the number of driven miles and the gallons of gas used. True, 250 miles per tank is bad. Some people said that break in matters, so the mileage would become better ... don't know ... mine was 300 miles old, last month, when I used that setup to test it.
Actually, in all honesty, I think you got an incredible discount on that vehicle, so you could pay for tons of gas before breaking even. It could fix by itself ...
When we bought it, and going through the breaking-in period, we were getting about what my '02 Ram 5.9L did: 13 in town, and 17 on the road. However, this has steadily climbed, and I'm pleased to report that yesterday I checked it (with the computer - haven't double-checked manually yet) and cam out with 24.7 miles per gallon at 60 on the road. Averaging about 17 in town, and 19.1 overall (mostly town driving).
The only material changes I've made to the car from stock are: a K&N air filter, and an oil change with Mobil1 Synthetic the other day.
Like most people, I've been a little concerned with the gas mileage, but love the car so much that I put up with it (same thing about my Ram). However, if these mileage computations come out as accurate when I double-check them, I'll be very happy. Our Intrepid (same size engine, 1/2 the weight) would only get 30mpg on the highway, so if I can get just below that for trips in a much bigger, more luxurious vehicle, I'm very happy.
Also, my wife got a screw in her tire the other day - we took it to a tire shop on the air force base where she works (who did the oil change), and they said it was unrepairable. The screw was in the middle of the tread, not the sidewall, and the replacement tire (one tire, now), was $176.10!!! I took it to the tire shop I normally use in town, and they repaired it for $15.00. He told me the shop on base, and some others, like Wal-Mart, really don't like doing repairs anymore, and will say just about anything to get out of them.
Todd
Please post the repair details... it can help other Pacifica owner. Thanks.
Thanks... Paul
Has anyone had similar problems.
I just got a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring and the CD system has the Disc Up and Disc Down buttons however I haven't been able to load multiple discs.
I pretty much assumed that the buttons are just to control a disc changer if you installed one aftermarket.
Any answers on this one folks?
Thanks a Million,
Matt